Manawatū Rugby is proud to announce it's men's Academy squad for the 2025 Hurricanes Under 20 trials.

The squad is made up of players who are signed to the Manawatū Rugby Academy programme and elite under 20 players.

Second year Academy players in the squad include 2024 Manawatū Turbos Mosese Bason and Liam O'Connor, New Zealand Under 20 prop Logan Wallace, Josiah Johnston, Henele Oliveti, Sam Dyer, Jai Tamati, Jack Delaney, James Parkinson, Reuben Nelley, Kami Ratuibau and Pita Manamanaivalu.

First year recruits to the Manawatū Rugby Academy for 2025 include Zach Filer (Feilding High School), Tevita Fakahau (Palmerston North Boys’ High School), Marika Delai (Whanganui High School), and Zach Ratuki (Kuranui College).

The team will play two Hurricanes Under 20 trials at Massey University – one against Wellington Academy on 8 February and the other Hawke's Bay Academy on 15 February. The top team from the mini tournament will win the Sam Doyle Cup. 

Manawatū Rugby Academy Manager Lifeimi Mafi says he’s excited about the talent in the squad.

“In 2024 we had six players selected for the Hurricanes Under 20s, with Mosese Bason named the MVP of the Super Rugby U20 tournament. We’re looking to build on that in 2025 and put our young players in the best position to be the Turbos of the future.

The squad will start training in mid-November, with more players to be added in January.

Front Row

Pj Iakopo

Logan Wallace

Josiah Johnston

Sam Masoe

Manase Toumohuni

Henele Oliveti

Locks

Sam Dyer

Kepa Bryce

Zach Filer

Tom Dyer 

Loose Forwards

Reuben Nelley

Marika Delai

Mosese Bason

Van Prenter

Ajae Hanson

Inside Backs

Jai Tamati

Kallum Gullery

Kotahi Cribb

Liam O'connor

Zach Ratuki

Midfield Backs

Jack Delaney

James Parkinson

Lave Miller

Oliver Cole

Tevita Fakahau

Outside Backs

Pita Manamanaivalu

Kami Ratuibau

Arje Beveridge

Mativa Fonua

Article added: Friday 08 November 2024